On December 19, 2023, at 1:58am, 1 District (St. Catharines / Thorold) uniform officers from the Niagara Regional Police Service responded to a home in St. Catharines for a report of a shooting.
Officers attended a residential home on Catherines Street near Hetherington Street. A 19-year-old male victim was located there with gunshot wounds. The victim was treated by Niagara Emergency Medical Services paramedics and was transported to an out of region hospital in serious condition.
As result of the initial investigation officers determined that victim had exited his home and was confronted by a male suspect in a nearby alleyway. The male suspect shot the victim. The suspect ran from the area. A NRPS K9 Unit attended the scene, but a suspect was not located.
The ongoing investigation led officers to identify a suspect and a possible residence on Louth Street near Chetwood Street in St. Catharines.
Detectives from the 1 District detective office were assigned to the investigation. 1 District uniform officers and the K9 Unit attended and contained the Louth Street address. Officers from the NRPS Emergency Task Unit were also called to the Louth Street house. At 4:16am the suspect exited the house and surrendered to officers.
Taeshaun Haynes (18 yrs.) of St. Catharines has been arrested and charged with the Criminal Code offences of:
Aggravated Assault Discharge Firearm with Intent Careless use of Firearm Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm Possession of a Firearm Knowing its Possession is Unauthorized Possession of a Prohibited / Restricted Firearm with Ammunition Possession of Firearm Contrary to Prohibition Order
Haynes was held in custody for a video bail hearing to the Robert S. K. Welch Courthouse in St. Catharines on December 19, 2023.
The Catherine Street scene has been released following a forensic examination by detectives from the NRPS Forensic Services Unit. The Louth Street house is being held pending a search warrant. The accused and victim were known to each other. There are no suspects believed to be outstanding and no ongoing threat to the public safety stemming from this incident.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact the investigating officers by calling 905-688-4111, option 3, extension 1009222.
Members of the public who wish to provide information anonymously can contact Crime Stoppers of Niagara online or by calling 1-800-222-8477. Crime Stoppers offers cash rewards to persons who contact the program with information which leads to an arrest.
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